Picking up a 1964 RCA roundie need advice - Videokarma.org TV - Video

freakaftr8 · #1 09-23-2007, 02:18 AM

Hey guys,

I am going to pick up a 1964 RCA Victor Home Entertainment Center, the radio and phono work well (solid state). The tv (roundie) crt has bad cataracts and I can fix it. The cabinet is pristine. Is this unit worth the 175 dollars I am picking it up for? The TV does not work, the origianal owners no nothing about it, all I know is I gotta drive 100 miles to go get it and lug it home. anyway what chassis is this unit, im not too familliar with the CTC chassis years and such. This thing is huge and it looks sweet!
Thanks, Shawn

oldtvman · #2 09-23-2007, 08:52 AM

Most of us collect these sets because we remember the early days of color and the excitement involved in the technology. The value of these sets sometimes is based on the individual collector. I would says the price is fair but it goes back to why you collect the sets and how much value you personally put on the set your buying.

Sandy G · #3 09-23-2007, 10:48 AM

A LITTLE high, perhaps, but if its a 1-owner set, the CRT is good, & its really pristine...Well...The thing is, if YOU want it, Go For It !! I'm 50, & the only things I've really ever regretted are the things I DIDN'T do, the TV/radio/gun/whatever I DIDN'T buy...the girl I DIDN'T call...You only go around once in this old life, roundies ARE getting scarcer by the day, this one may be your One True Chance on getting one...

jpdylon · #4 09-23-2007, 11:22 AM

I paid 150 for a dead CTC-16 from 1964 and I'm happy. It too some time to get the set so that it powers up.

if the cabinet is in good shape, go for it. Don't try to power the set unless you can variac. if it doesn't work at all, something may be up with the power supply.

fujifrontier · #5 09-23-2007, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy G

the TV/radio/gun/whatever I DIDN'T buy...the girl I DIDN'T call...You only go around once in this old life

*sniffle*

perhaps i should begin disassembly of my 21-T639 and at least give it a stab....

Carmine · #6 09-23-2007, 12:50 PM

Too much coin if you ask me. Sounds like the sellers know you want it, and are taking advantage. Personally, I hate people like that. Let em sweat, nobody is beating the door down for it. On your side of the country, those show up all the time.

kx250rider · #7 09-23-2007, 01:05 PM

Shawn,

Agreeing with most of the others, I say it's an OK price, and definitely a great price if it's a set you want. That wouldn't happen to the the set that was on the Los Angeles Craigslist a few weeks back, would it? I almost called, but I stopped myself

As Carmine points out, the combo units are a bit harder to sell due to size, but I personally like them. There was a TV repair shop in Culver City, CA, named Don's TV. It was a single family house with backyard that was converted to commercial property. In the backyard, they had at least 50 huge roundie combo sets. At the time, I hated to see them out in the rain, but they weren't worth a plugged nickel at the time.

Charles

reeferman · #8 09-23-2007, 10:49 PM

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I'm sure ALL of us have spent more on less

freakaftr8 · #9 09-24-2007, 04:15 AM

Powered unit up tonight with a variac. Stereo works. and very well!
Tv, B+ up and could hear horiz output. no raster, good audio. going to test tubes later this week. This could be a simple fix. But I hope not, looking for a challenge (besides PVA restore on a badly cataract crt). I was right, this is a late ctc-16a chassis. looks all orig even tubes. Lady I got it from says she hardly used the tv since she was a one owner. Funny thing is the first time I tried a power up, the tv wouldn't power. The tuning knobs light up, but no hv, no lights in the tubes, nothing. As soon as I removed the rear cover, back to life... intreresting, like I let the gnome out, lol

Radiophile2001 · #10 09-24-2007, 08:58 AM

Post some pics!

jpdylon · #11 09-24-2007, 10:13 AM

Probably a corroded interlock plug.

As for the raster being dark check th usual suspects (HO, damper, HV regulator, HV rectifier)

if you do get it working, I would replace the main electrolytic power supply capacitors for safety reasons, and pay close attention to the vertical section. The boards usually need resoldering and a lytic cap.

..and yes....post pictures

reeferman · #12 09-24-2007, 11:28 PM

Having worked on a LOT of these, my advice is to turn the chassis over and start repairing bad solder joints and terminal strips that support the power resistors, before you do anything else. Wiggle the terminal strips and if they break, replace them. Hope you are proficient at soldering. You're not hoping for a simple fix? Be careful what you wish for. (If you had a Motorola with a 23EGP22, I guarantee you would be wishing for a simple fix) Have fun.

freakaftr8 · #13 09-25-2007, 01:04 AM

Thanks for the advice reeferman, well I soldered a few questionable connections and cap leads in the vertical sweep section, tested tubes tonight and found out why no picture! 12 tubes bad in this tv including some interesting readings on the 3A3 HV Rectifier tube, it pegs and bounces the needle on my Jackson 648-1 tester.. The 6BK4 Shunt Regulator tube doesnt budge the needle.. all the other tubes reading poor are just chroma, demod, burst amp sync and IF tubes, all are in the bad to fair range, just assume change em all out... Another thing I found suprising is the lack of dust inside this unit, the lady that owned it was meticoulous about the beauty of this set and kept the wood oiled and there is no scratches, dents or rips anywhere, as a matter of fact I just found the original instruction manual, warranty and schematic in the record holder! Sweet!

Sandy G · #14 09-25-2007, 05:58 AM

Well, for the Money Shot-Have you tested the CRT yet ?

freakaftr8 · #15 09-25-2007, 11:10 AM

If I could find my picture tube tester, I would.... If it's dead, who out here or anywhere could I send the 21fjp22 to for a rebuild or a replacement??
You know im curouus too, I was really young and I was given what seemed to be a 1972 to 1974 desigined RCA tube 25" rectangular tube tv. It's funny how close resemblence the chassis is to that newer unit..